The world’s a bit clingy. Dinging, pinging, buzzing. Incessantly demanding your attention. But a revolutionary respite from it all is emerging that’s both wildly surprising and utterly predictable. It’s not a fancy new device or technology. Instead, it’s “social” without the media, connection without the Wi-Fi.
We’re talking about the resurgence of spaces set aside simply for gathering. And connecting. With people. Call it a recalibration for greater sanity, the trend comes down to the simple and profound act of carving out spaces set aside exclusively for connecting (and disconnecting).
Today we’ll turn down the volume of the outside world and turn up the deliciousness of quality time with your people. Whether a room or just a nook in your home, there’s a path to carving out something inviting, inspiring, cozy, and oh-so-you. Today we embrace the soulful art of creating room for connection again.
The Rise (And Gift) Of Rooms That Foster Connection And Community
Let’s talk about the P word. Pandemic. Because while the pandemic years offered a stark reminder of the gift of gathering with friends and loved ones, the post-pandemic years saw the speed of life reengage like a rocket.
These days the evidence of how the combined impact of the necessary isolation and the sudden call back to an exponentially more demanding world added up to what’s literally been described as an epidemic of loneliness.
Upholstery to the rescue! (Ok, not just upholstery. But a giggle-break seemed in order.) Upholstery fabrics really do play an important part in spaces creatively arranged and appointed not simply for getting more things done or distracting us from the world’s uncertainties, but for bonding with other humans.
That’s the gift interior designers are directing us to.
Alluring, comfortable rooms that positively pull you in, instead of overly formal spaces that are stiff and breakable. Spaces not for sitting, staring, and scrolling, but chatting — in real life. Which, frankly, sounds appealing and unexpectedly daunting. All the more reason to do it, don’t you think?
Renovate Less, Imagine More: Your Perfect Bonding Space Is Already Home
The heart of the trend is simple: tell a story. Rearrange and reimagine an underutilized space like a dining room or guest room. Focus on filling it with objects, textures, and colors that inspire curiosity and spark conversation. Approach it like this…
- Anchor In Comfort
Here at the largest furniture upholstery fabric store online, we know for sure that the fabrics you choose set the tone. A large space feels cozy thanks to rich golden Crypton velvet or mahogany red plush velvet. A smaller space feels expansive with a sectional in a latte brown boucle or armchairs in Zen grey or glacier blue chenille. Prioritize comfort — because nobody’s bonding in coldness. At least not in a good way.
- Center Conversation
Conversation starts somewhere. In design, that’s an accent or centerpiece. Like a natural edge wood coffee table delighting the eye and inviting touch. Amplify the allure with furniture, like with navy blue European leather or equally striking sable brown faux leather, and add playfully patterned lumbar pillows in a soft green abstract geometric pattern. Bring on Apples to Apples and Cards for Humanity!
- Tantalize With Textures
Imagine a friend shows up to something in a sweater or coat that’s just irresistibly touchable. You know, like something cuddly or corded. The kind of texture that pulls you closer. Play off that idea in your space. Yes, through furniture but also layers of throw pillows in a mix of textures like chenille, cotton, jacquard, microsuede, and more. Add an earthy antique area rug and a soft throw blanket (or three) for when short hangs happily turn into epic ones.
How Heartfelt Design Choices In Your Home Make Room For Connection
“Does this bring us closer together?” If whatever you’re adding (or removing) in your reimagined space doesn’t inspire a hearty “Yes!” in answer to that question, then it’s not a fit. Some strategies to bring the yes include:
Go Digital-free
We’re cultivating human connection. So, no phones, tablets, or even TVs in the space. Not as deprivation, but liberation. Fill it with things that spark joy, curiosity, and creativity. Like games, puzzles, books, vinyl itching to be spun, art supplies, musical instruments, and more. The possibilities are endless. And — gratefully — there’s not an app for that.
Get Lit
Vibe so often lives in lighting. And lighting has never been more flexible. Try candles, table and floor lamps, gallery lighting, fairy lights, or strips of dimmable and/or color-changing LED lights. Or a combination of all the above layered into your space. The key is to use lighting to create a warm and intimate feel.
Be Personal
Focus on an interest, like with a wall of pics from adventures, art you love, or vintage finds. Get your furniture in on the act with accents like chairs in an elegant autumn orange leaf pattern or a bold plum lilac plush velvet. Or dress the whole room in a could-not-be-cozier creamy custard shearling fabric — built with the real-world performance power of Crypton. The idea is to offer your unique welcome.
3 Simple Design Strategies To Craft Connections On A Budget
The coolest thing about all these ideas is that creating a connection room or nook can absolutely be budget-friendly. Here are some quick tips on how:
- Thrift: Shop local thrift stores and garage sales for cool vintage finds and pieces that strike your fancy. For furniture, look for pieces with solid wood frames in good condition that can be reupholstered into new-to-you gems.
- DIY: There are more do-it-yourself options out there than you could explore in a lifetime. From building furniture, shelving, etc, from scratch to repainting pieces and spaces, to — our favorite — slipcovers, DIY throw pillows, and reupholstering. Yes, you can.
- Spotlight: Rearrange your space, add details, and invest in just one standout accent piece. Something that shines in the room and lights you up. Like a loveseat inspiring conversation dressed in a tapestry fabric patterned with a collage of vintage luggage stickers or an earthy alpine green textured jacquard, looking both timeless and contemporary.
Once More With Feeling: Why Making Room For Quality Time Matters
There are moments when time seems to slow, shared meals stretch into shared stories, laughter casts a spell, and an extra glass of wine is poured and savored. Moments you breathe a bit deeper and the itch you didn’t quite have the language to express gets scratched. Moments the craving for something real, some real connection is satisfied. Moments rarely made on screens.
That’s what this is all about. Setting aside space in your home for that. Seems like a payoff worth the effort, don’t you think?
The goal is connection. Perfectly imperfect is perfect. And we’re here to help with all your upholstery fabric needs. Remember, whether crafting your space means reupholstering a favorite chair or sofa in deep burgundy microsuede or coffee brown faux cowhide, adding some amazing vintage finds, or simply digging those old board games out of the back of the closet, as long as your space brings more quality time home, that’s design perfection.